Gas dryers vs. electric dryers: their differences
- Home appliances
Let's focus for a moment on dryers. Like the rest of your appliances, it is important that you know a little about the subject before going out to buy one; You must be clear about the differences between gas dryers vs. electric dryers and which type is really the one you need at home. Here we compare them to explain their essential characteristics in terms of mechanical operation, prices and other information that will be useful to you.
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Can I choose between gas and electricity?
You can choose whether you want a gas or electric dryer, but you should make that decision based on your existing laundry hookups. It can be expensive to switch your laundry hookups from gas to electric and vice versa, so here we recommend sticking with what you have.
Sometimes laundry rooms have a gas connection and a 240-volt outlet. If your laundry room can run on electricity or gas (which is sometimes the case with homes with gas service), you can choose what type of dryer you want. On the other hand, if you're not set up for gas and don't want to go through a full installation process, your only option will be electric.
How to know?
If you've just moved to a place with a washer and dryer hookup, you may notice whether you'll need to choose between gas vs. gas dryers. electric dryers looking at the outlet. Gas ones run on electricity to power the lights and spin the drum, but they are heated by gas, so there should be a plugged gas line. If the outlet is larger (it may have three or four pin holes) and you don't see a gas line, you probably have an electrical setup, which typically runs on 240 volts. You can take a photo of the outlet and take it to the appliance store, and they should confirm it.
If you have a dryer, you can check the model number. Gas dryers usually have a "G" somewhere in the letter mix, while electric ones have an "E." However, this is not foolproof. Whirlpool makes a dryer with the model number WGD4815EW, which has an "E" and a "G." However, the electric version has two "E's" in its number: WED4815EW.
How are they heated?
Both types - gas and electricity - use heat, air and spin to dry your clothes. Airflow and spin go hand in hand. While electric dryers use a heating element, gas dryers have a fuel burner. In the former, an electrical current travels through the heating coil, accumulating electrons and heating the metal and, in turn, the air. A blower or fan draws the hot air into the drum. Using natural gas or propane, gas dryers use a lighter to burn this fuel. As with the electric version, a blower or fan draws hot air into the drum.
A ventilation duct?
Electric and gas dryers vent to the outside, thanks to the moist, lint-filled air they expel. Otherwise, you could find yourself with a moldy mess, not to mention lots of fluff particles in the air. In addition, the duct of a gas dryer expels the products of combustion, which you also do not want to inhale. Ventless electric models are often in apartments, because they don't need to exhaust outside air. Many of these models are compact, but there are full-size ventless dryers available.
There are two types of ventless dryers: condensing and heat pump, and each works a little differently. With a condenser dryer, the air is heated by a condenser and then travels to the drum and begins to evaporate the water from the wet clothes. The air returns to the condenser to cool down, and as the moisture condenses, the air reheats and returns to the drum to start the cycle again. One thing to consider is that if you don't have a drain to divert the condensed water, it will accumulate in a tray that you will need to empty after each use. Heat pumps use compressor technology similar to a refrigerator, recirculating air and removing moisture from clothing and the air. They use lower temperatures than conventional dryers and are therefore gentler on clothes.
These dryers are more energy efficient: the heat pump is the most efficient, but its cycles take longer than its ventilated counterparts.
How much they cost?
You'll pay $50 to $100 more for a gas dryer, not to mention the cost of installation. Gas dryers are more energy efficient in the long run, according to Energy Star, though it will depend on rates in your area. However, front-loading washers spin three times faster than they did in the early '80s, which means clothes aren't as wet when they go into the dryer.
There are now Energy Star-certified dryers in both electric and gas versions, and the agency says they use 20 percent less energy than standard models. They feature moisture sensors that stop the dryer when clothes are dry, rather than completing the full cycle, and lower heat settings that take longer but use less energy. This can reduce costs. According to Energy Star, you'll save about $215 and about $380 if you also have a certified washer. Consider that this lower expense will last throughout the useful life of your devices. Depending on how much you spend on your dryer, you could eventually recoup it in savings, but if you don't you'll still be reducing your carbon footprint.
Any other difference between gas dryers vs. electric dryers?
Manufacturers tend to keep the same features for their electric and gas versions. Where should you go then, gas dryers vs. electric dryers? If you only have an electrical connection, your choice should go through this line, instead of choosing a gas one that would imply an additional cost. Plus, with so many different models to choose from, you can find a good energy efficient electric dryer that will fit your needs. If you have a gas connection, this is your option. If you have both types of consider the pros and cons of both types and make the best decision to suit your habits and individual financial situation.
